Hornworms

[Craiger]

Ordered some hornworms last night from Mulberry Farms. Unfortunately, they won't get shipped out 'til Monday. :-[

Anyway, how hard is it to raise/breed them? Is it as difficult or similar to that of silkworms? (hoping it's easier)

This will be the first time Frodo and Sam has ever seen them. Frodo absolutely LOVED silkworms....so I'm anxious to see how he reacts. Need to buy some more silkworms, now, too. I think Frodo's pretty bored with his food.

 

[crypticdragons]

I am unsure as I have never bred them myself but from what I understand the breeding and care for horns is almost identical to silks. I have never bred either as I am not much for things that can fly lol.

 

[Craiger]

Okay. Thanks. Not that silkies were hard....just hoping hornworms are a bit more "robust".

 

[crypticdragons]

Id be willing to bet Gina or janie has a good point of contact for breeding em

 

[Craiger]

Id be willing to bet Gina or janie has a good point of contact for breeding em

Good point! Hopefully, they'll see this, soon.

 

[zebraflavencs]

Gina knows I get mine from her supplier... lol
Janie

 

[ladyknite]

hey Craig........it's doable.
But horns require more feedings than silks and although they are a hardier worm, their demand for food makes them a little harder. Believe me...........they can go thru some food even as tiny hatchlets

 

[Craiger]

hey Craig........it's doable.
But horns require more feedings than silks and although they are a hardier worm, their demand for food makes them a little harder. Believe me...........they can go thru some food even as tiny hatchlets

Okay. I'll keep that in mind. Like silks, do they require only the food sold for hornworms?

 

[ladyknite]

there are two formulas for horn food. But they can't start out on one of them and switch to another. Essentially they're raised on mulberry food (same as silks) or leaves....and the other type which is formulated by the distributor.

 

[pscaulkins]

I have never bred them because from what I have been told and read about they are difficult. You have to feed the moths sugar water and have the right environment. The moths are big. I have hatched hornworm eggs, though. Did it once, never again. OMG, those hatchlings eat nonstop. If they run out of food, they eat each other and they will travel. I kept the ones under 3/4" in plastic shoe boxes with plastic netting and holes drilled in the sides with the lid on. Once they get to 3/4", they are easy. Just don't let them run out of food. ;D

 

[Craiger]

I have never bred them because from what I have been told and read about they are difficult. You have to feed the moths sugar water and have the right environment. The moths are big. I have hatched hornworm eggs, though. Did it once, never again. OMG, those hatchlings eat nonstop. If they run out of food, they eat each other and they will travel. I kept the ones under 3/4" in plastic shoe boxes with plastic netting and holes drilled in the sides with the lid on. Once they get to 3/4", they are easy. Just don't let them run out of food. ;D

I'm thinking buying them on occasion doesn't seem like such a bad idea, now. LOL! These guys actually sound MORE difficult than silkies.

 

[zebraflavencs]

I'll order in like 3-7 containers... 7 if I am going in with someone else locally.
Janie

 

[Craiger]

I'll order in like 3-7 containers... 7 if I am going in with someone else locally.
Janie

Yeah, that would definitely help with shipping. I only ordered 2 habitats as I don't know how the beardies are going to do with them. If they like them, I might try to find somebody locally to go in on them with me.

 

[zebraflavencs]

Just remember.. they are ..BLUE !
*chortles*
Janie

 

[pscaulkins]

Just remember.. they are ..BLUE !
*chortles*
Janie

They are blue now? Awww, those would be cool. I haven't ordered any in about 6 months. Thinking of getting 4 containers when the weather stablizes around here. Semi and Jada loves them..Magick not so much.

 

[Craiger]

Blue? They look green to me....but then, Bev says I'm a bit color blind. We tend to disagree over this at times. Mostly shades. Like, there are things I swear are orange and she says they're red. I just smile and let her think she's right. ;D

 

[staylor]

I thought the blue green argument was settled a long time ago?

 

[Craiger]

I thought the blue green argument was settled a long time ago?

Uh, oh. Looks like I may have opened a can of......worms! LOL!

 

[crypticdragons]

I thought the blue green argument was settled a long time ago?

It was
they are Sea Foam Green 8)

 

[zebraflavencs]

*grins wickedly* New bunch.. so I resurrected that discussion... lol
Janie